El Paso OKs Amphitheatre

Changes are afoot for the El Paso County Coliseum in Texas, where officials recently approved a proposal to construct a 25,000-capacity amphitheatre.

The $3 million project will demolish an animal shelter and barn on the existing Coliseum property in order to make way for the venue and parking, according to the El Paso Times.

El Paso Sports Commission President Brian Kennedy told the paper the venue will include a simple design with a covered stage, dressing room, production building and 5,000 temporary seats that can be moved out in front of the stage.

The county receives 40 percent of alcohol sales and 30 percent of F&B at the Coliseum, and Kennedy explained his group is negotiating with Ticketmaster for a cut of ticket fee revenue at the new shed. The commission is also reportedly looking into sponsorship agreements.

Revenues from the venue will go toward the county’s general fund, the Times reported, and commissioners seemed eager to tap into a new funding stream.

“I hope they have 25,000 people there every night, drinking as much beer as they can at $8 a pop,” commissioner Dan Haggerty told the paper.

Construction is expected to commence by Thanksgiving and Kennedy said he plans to hold the first show within 18 months.